The long-awaited redevelopment of a derelict site in the centre of Newton Abbot has been hailed as a ‘day of rejoicing’ as it has been confirmed that national leisure and retail chains are looking to move in.

The former Seymour Horwell Volvo dealership in Wolborough Street has been derelict for more than 15 years.

But now plans for four and five-storey retirement flats, alongside shops on the ground floor, have been submitted that will finally bring the site next to the Asda in the town back to life.

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The site of 22-26 Wolborough Street has recently been sold to the Coyne Group – who also bought the former Queens Hotel in the town in 2015 - and was on the market for £850,000.

Artist impression of the proposed scheme for the old Seymour Horwell site in Newton Abbot

Sally Henley, Newton Abbot Town Development Manager, said: “It made my day, when I received a call inviting me to a site meeting at the old Seymour Horwell site in Wolborough Street as the meeting signalled the fact that there was going to be some positive movement on this derelict site, which has blighted the historic centre of Newton Abbot for over a decade.

“Of the many questions which residents, shoppers and visitors have asked me over the years, the one about what is happening to that area has to be the most frequent. If the revised plans are in keeping with this lovely old part of town and planners approve them, it will truly be a day of rejoicing. This is very positive news for Newton Abbot.”

Sally Henley, Newton Abbot Town Council’s Town Development Manager

Paul Heather, director of Charles Darrow, added: “I am pleased to confirm that Charles Darrow have been appointed by the land owners, Coyne Group to commence the marketing of the ground floor commercial space.

“We have already received a good amount of initial interest and as well as local operators, we are looking to attract National Licensed Leisure and Retail chains to the premises. We are inviting indicative proposals for the letting of the commercial space which can be made available as a whole or sub-divided into individual units.”

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The application to redevelop the site has been submitted to Teignbridge District Council planners by Newton Abbot Developments Ltd, and says: “The project involves the redevelopment of a vacant site in the town centre to provide new housing in the form of apartments, aimed at the retirement market.

“The intention is to develop the site with a contemporary building at a visually prominent site in the town centre.”

GV of the old Seymour Horwell car dealership site in Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot

Plans for a Travelodge and to turn the site into flats with retail and commercial units had previously been proposed but never came to fruition.

It continues: “The site is on the Western side of the town and will form a ‘gateway’ building to the pedestrianized town centre zone.

“The proposal will enable the property to be converted in to 38 apartments with on site communal facilities, aimed at the over-55 market. The proposed development will ensure the beneficial use of the site, improving community safety and surveillance, and bringing life back to the street scene.”

The application is to provide a part four, part five-storey building with commercial accommodation at ground-floor level and retirement apartments on the first, second, third and fourth floors.

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There would be 20 one-bedroom apartments and 18 two-bedroom apartments, and there would be three retail units on the ground floor as well

The Seymour Horwell site

The application concludes: “The proposed mix of retail accommodation and apartments makes effective use of this previously developed site in a central location and brings vacant land into active use. The proposed development would not be harmful to the amenity of local residents and is in accordance with the development plan.”

Teignbridge District Council planners will determine the fate of the application.